Nashiro forfeited his WBA belt to Hugo Cazares in a rematch in May of the previous year and failed to capture the WBC throne, losing a close but unanimous nod (114-113, 116-113 and 116-111) to elongated Mexican Tomas Rojas this February. Nashiro, a 29-year-old shaven-skulled ex-champ, utilized his speed on hand and foot, piling up points steadily. He kept connecting with solid one-two combinations upstairs and downstairs. Perez, 20, threw sharp jabs and left-right combos to the elusive Japanese with less precision. Nashiro was an obvious victor, but WBO youth champ Perez, a good loser, won the praise of the crowd.

Undercard: Ex-OPBF and Japanese middle champ Tetsuya Suzuki (26-9, 16 KOs), 146.75, surprisingly dropped a hairline but unanimous decision (77-76 twice and 78-76) to unheralded and unranked Nobuyuki Shindo (9-1, 2 KOs), 146.5, in a supporting eight of southpaws. Currently ranked atop in the national 160-pound ratings, Suzuki lately decided to move down to the welter division, but he seemingly lost his previous power and zip, often absorbing Shindo’s overhand lefts. The fourth witnessed Shindo almost topple the ex-champ with a solid left cross to apparently take the initiative since.